Paris is pretty much the ultimate city to visit. You can’t claim to be a traveller without visiting the city of love. So grab your Scratch Map® Capitals poster, pack up your suitcase and prepare to scribble Paris off your list after reading our beginners guide to Paris…

1. The Eiffel Tower

You absolutely CANNOT go to Paris without visiting the Eiffel Tower. Yes it may seem a bit of a tourist trap, but this 19th century architectural wonder is essential and completely worth seeing. Plus it’s close enough to the infamous Notre Dame cathedral and some precious Parisian cafés where you can sit down for a croissant and a latte.

2. Champs-Elysees

It may be another of those cliché things to do but you can’t go to Paris and completely avoid the shopping, it’s what Paris is for. The Champs-Elysees is an essential shopping destination to uncover on you Scratch Map®. There’s a multitude of recognizable storefronts from Sephora to Gap, and even a Starbucks if you’re feeling homesick. But if you want to indulge in the ultimate Parisian cafe, visit Laduree (75, avenue des Champs Elysées 75008) for macarons and coffee – or a champagne cocktail if you’re done shopping!

3. The Louvre

Even if you aren’t a museum goer, the Louvre is too sensational to avoid. You don’t have to do what everyone does and spend 6 or 7 hours hunting for the Mona Lisa, but it’s a great place to mark off your bucket list. It’s important to remember that the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays, and there are a few special circumstances and holidays when you can get in for free, definitely worth checking prior to your visit.

4. Montmartre

If you’ve ever seen an impressionist painting or wanted to be in one of the bohemian centres of Paris, or are maybe just looking for a bit of nightlife, Montmartre is your place. Named after the hill on which the Sacre-Coeur is so comfortable sitting on, this district is tourist friendly and has a great view if you’re brave enough to endure the trek up Montmartre. You can even tick the Moulin Rouge of you to do list, because it’s in the district, along with other night-life hot spots.

5. Get lost

Yes, it isn’t a generic place, but the best thing to do in Paris is just get a bit lost. Brush up on some basic French before you hop the Eurostar and you can go just about anywhere in the city. There’s so many back alleys to explore, wonders to uncover, and food to gorge on that by the end of the trip you’ll have a massive area to uncover on your Scratch Map® Capitals and some great memories to go with it.